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AQA, Gorillas and text answering/entertainment services

Started by Ewan · 1 year ago

I was talking to Peter from AQA (Any Question Answered) the other week and I asked him if he’d any examples of conversations between the AQA team and their customers. He sent me this rather amusing exchange which took place over five hours a few weeks ago.

USER: 09.19pm Is HMS Belfast [...] ... Continue reading »

17 comments

  • DanLane

    1 year ago

    Presumably this was billed at the standard AQA rates?... I can think of better things to spend 16 quid on
    reply
  • Ewan

    1 year ago

    I think it was a quid a go, aye. I know a lot of people who enjoy doing
    this!
    reply
  • DanLane

    1 year ago

    I'm all for the idea of paying £1 for a bit of knowledge I needed in a hurry (personally I just use wikipedia but I totally see the value in this) but £1 per message for a bit of a chat?!?!
    reply
  • Chris

    1 year ago

    18 quid - two of his questions were over 160 characters...
    reply
  • James Whatley

    1 year ago

    Aren't you charged per response?
    reply
  • Chris

    1 year ago

    With Texperts - yes. But I think AQA charge for submitting the question, not receiving the answer.
    reply
  • James Whatley

    1 year ago

    Ouch. That I did not know.
    reply
  • James Whatley

    1 year ago

    My best AQA exchange?

    "It's 4am, I need a drink. Where should I go?"

    "AQA thinks you should go home."

    Brilliant.
    reply
  • DanLane

    1 year ago

    Very funny, but not very helpful (although you didn't give them much to go on... a location would have been a start!)
    reply
  • James Whatley

    1 year ago

    Ok - Well how about this one from Texperts?

    Me: Did tolkien invent Elves?

    TP: No, elves originally from Germanic mythology. Tolkein popularised them as a wise, immortal, and humanoid people -- have been a fantasy staple ever since.

    Me: Ok. So who's right? Aqa said that they were of Norse origin.. (and you can't spell tolkien)

    TP: Elves appear in Norse, German, Scandinavian and English folklore and different sources claim different origins. Both Norse and Germanic elves have different roots are thought to be light creatures who lived in heaven during the era of Germanic paganism, and may have included dark elves or dwarves underground (as understood to be similar to the alfr of Old Norse mythology). No charge for this and as you were unhappy your next answer will be free.
    reply
  • DanLane

    1 year ago

    informative (to an extent) AND free!... Go Textperts!
    reply
  • James Whatley

    1 year ago

    I have more:

    Me: Hello. I used to buy my flared jeans from GAP, (note: FLARED not BOOT CUT), but they've stopped selling them. Where can I get them now please?

    TP: www.ebay.co.uk offers a variety of GAP flare jeans in many colors and sizes. Asking prices currently range from £0.50 - £10.05, not including shipping.

    Me: From ebay?! That's a rubbish answer. GAP is a high st store. Ebay isn't.

    TP: Apologies if you are unhappy with the previous response and as an apology your next answer will be free. No charge for this response.

    Me: Ok. GAP have stopped selling their Flared Jeans range (flared, not boot cut) where else on the high st can I get them? I'm in Twickenham but can get to London.

    TP: Topshop (Arcadia Group) on 70 Berners Street London W1T 3NL, sell a flared Jeans for £ 40, a map will follow this text.

    Me: I'm a boy texperts! My fault. Should've told you. Topshop is no good to me!

    TP: We couldn't find a men's retailer selling flared jeans, however you can purchase Lee Denver Flared Jeans on-line from www.denims4u.co.uk for £42.50

    Me: That's more like it. Good work. Love you guys.
    reply
  • DanLane

    1 year ago

    Nice, how much did that interaction cost you? I spot £3 before they actually answered your question
    reply
  • DanLane

    1 year ago

    Edit: bah, this was supposed to be a reply to whatley above.
    reply
  • gilesadams

    1 year ago

    Hi there - Giles from Texperts here. I just thought I might clarify some confusion with regards to our pricing. We charge for answers, not questions as we believe that if the answer is not 'out there', then our customers do not deserve to be charged for asking. And to make sure we provide the best answers possible, our brand promise states that if you're not impressed with your answer, the next one is on us.

    As Texperts is a human powered service, we do sometimes misinterpret context, as in Whatleydude's example. Sometimes we need to engage customers in a text conversation to clarify what they are asking - these exchanges only cost you a text (c.10p), not a pound and therefore you only get charged when you receive the information you want. Also, we don't charge you for saying thanks or raising a concern.

    I hope that helps clarifies things - please give me a shout if you have any further questions (giles@texperts.com).

    Cheers, Giles
    reply
  • Andy Quiggers

    1 year ago

    Hi Giles, just checking - when you say that you don't get charged asking a question you don't really mean that do you - as later on you say that you do get charged, albeit 10p, whenever you text textperts? As you didn't answer the question, and possibly contradicted yourself, can i have my next one free? Of course 10p doesn't sound much, but then neither does £1. or am i penny wise and pound foolish? that's it. I'll get my coat.
    reply
  • James Whatley

    1 year ago

    *claps hands in applause at texperts*

    :) - Nice one.
    reply

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